This year’s Leeds Christmas lights switch-on is set to be an absolute knock-out when world champion Josh Warrington presses the button to get the festive season officially underway.

Leeds-born Josh, the current IBF world champion, will be joined onstage at Victoria Gardens on November 8 by Britain’s Got Talent’s Micky P Kerr and 2017 X Factor finalist Kevin Davy White for this year’s seasonal spectacular.

Josh, who became the first male world boxing champion from Leeds at Elland Road earlier this year and whose film ‘Fighting for a City’ premiered at the official launch of the Leeds International Film Festival in Leeds Town Hall last night, said: “I’m a very proud Leeds lad and this year has already been a fantastic year for me, making history for the city and becoming Leeds’s first male World Champion.

“It’s going to be an absolute pleasure to be turning on the Christmas lights and getting everyone into the spirit of Christmas .

“Obviously for myself, I’m preparing for December 22 and can promise that for those coming with me, I’ll be giving Leeds an early Christmas present by defending my title.”

Other attractions on the night will include fun fair rides along Cookridge Street, street food concessions with entertainment culminating in the big switch-on of one of the UK's largest displays of city centre festive illuminations and spectacular fireworks.

The Leeds Light switch-on marks the official start of the city’s ‘Make it Leeds’ this Christmas campaign which will feature a number of special events and activities including the annual Christkindelmarkt on Millennium Square which starts on Friday November 9 from 10.30am.

World Champion Josh Turns Lights On For A Change, 2nd November 2018, 12:40 PM